Ocelot (species)

The Ocelot is a spotted small feline primarily native to South America in historic times, but with a range extending as far north as the plains and deserts of Mexico, Texas, and Arizona. The North American subspecies have become scarce largely due to habitat reduction, and are now listed as endangered. The Texas native ocelot, Leopardus pardalis albescens, is now estimated to have a population of about 120, but was much more numerous when white settlers first reached the area.